April highlights include: 

1.  Photos from International Women’s Day!

2.  International Club Trip to the Mountain – April 5

3.  International Coffee Hour – April 3 & 17

4.  International Festival at UNC Greensboro April 12

5.  2007 Tax filing- last reminder

6.  OPT Reminders for May & August Graduates

7.  End of Semester Travel Reminders

8.  I-20 or DS-2019 Expiration Dates?

9.  Summer Registration & Summer Employment

10.  Please Complete the Campus Safety Survey!

1.  International Women’s Day Photos!

On Thursday, March 13^th, UNC Charlotte held its third annual International Women’s Day Celebration, honoring women from around the world as well as U.S. women who work with global women’s issues or who have international interests.   

It was a beautiful event and we want to share some photos with you.  Thank you to those who joined us and we look forward to seeing many more international students at next year’s event!  See photos at http://www.oip.uncc.edu/intphotosmar132008.htm  

2.  International Club Trip to the Mountain!

On Saturday, April 5^th, 2008 come join the UNC Charlotte International Club for an exciting day of hiking, sightseeing and boat touring at Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure.  Open to club members and non-members and their children. 

Depart from UNC Charlotte at 7:30 am, return around 9:00 pm. 

Cost: $35 and$11 for children age 12 & under.    This includes a morning snack on the bus, entrance fee to Chimney Rock Park and the Lake Lure Boat tour. Sign-up begins March 27 and ends on April 1 in the ISSO Office.  Please bring a check or money order made out to International Club.  For more information go to http://www.sco.uncc.edu/intlclub.

3.  International Coffee Hour Dates for April!

The International Coffee Hour events for April are: 

• Thursday, April 3^rd

AND

• Thursday, April 17^th (Last one of the academic year!)

As always, International Coffee Hour is from 4-6pm in the Faculty/Staff Dining Room of the Prospector Cafeteria.  Bring a friend, or make a new one there!! 

4.  International Festival at UNC Greensboro!

Here’s your chance to enjoy an international festival before next September!  Go to Greensboro’s International Festival on April 12, and join in the fun.  It will be from 12:00-5:00pm in the Fountain Area on their campus.  For more information go to http://www.uncg.edu/student.groups/isa/ifest/index.htm

5.  2007 Tax filing- last reminder

April 15^th is the deadline for filing your federal and state taxes.  Passwords for the CINTAX federal 1040NREZ and instructions for the NC D-400 are still available in the ISSO.  For more information go to http://www.isso.uncc.edu/employment.htm#Taxes
 

6.  OPT Reminders for May, July & August Graduates

Anyone completing their degree in either May, July or August and interested in OPT (optional practical training) must apply PRIOR TO program completion/graduation.

• May graduates - we recommend that you apply by May 1^st to give time for postal delivery. For more information, see http://www.isso.uncc.edu/optcpt.htm
• July or August graduates - OPT information sessions will be held in early May.  More details will follow, so keep your eyes open!

7.  End of Semester Travel Reminders

The end of the semester is approaching fast, so if you plan on traveling outside of the U.S. this summer, please read the important reminders below… 

·         Make sure page 3 of your I-20 or p.1 of your DS-2019 (for J-1 students) has been signed within the past year.  If not, bring it to the ISSO for a signature at least 1 week prior to your departure.

·         If your funding has changed, please bring this to our attention so that we can create a new document with the most accurate, up-to-date information.

·         Check to make sure that your visa and your passport will be valid on the day you re-enter the U.S.  If not, you must extend them accordingly. 

·         If your visa has expired or will expire prior to your re-entry, you will need to apply for a new one.  You should be prepared to show…

1.       Valid I-20 with recent signature on p.3 or DS-2019 with recent signature on p.1

2.       Valid passport

3.       Proof of financial support

4.       Proof of registration at UNC Charlotte (transcript from Banner self-service or Registrar’s Office)

5.       Letter of enrollment (available at ISSO)

·         Take proof of financial support and registration with you (unofficial transcript from 49er Express), in case you are questioned upon re-entry to the U.S.

·         If you have applied for OPT, make sure to take your EAD and a job offer letter with you.

·         If you will begin a new degree program in the fall, make sure to take your NEW I-20 for re-entry to the U.S.

·         If you will transfer to another university in the Fall, you must re-enter the U.S using your NEW I-20, rather than your UNC Charlotte I-20.

·         If you entered the U.S. under “special registration”, YOU MUST meet with an immigration official at one of the designated ports of exit (despite any advice to the contrary from any airline official!).  If you have any questions, please see Marian or Denise prior to your departure. 

8.  I-20/DS-2019 Expiration Dates?

Please take a look at your I-20 (item #5) or DS-2019 (item #3) for the program end date.  If this date is approaching in May or August and you still need more time to complete your program, you MUST file a program extension in the ISSO prior to the end date on the document.  The form is available in our office or at http://www.isso.uncc.edu/immigration.htm#Request%20Forms under “request forms”.  If you do not request a program extension and your I-20 or DS-2019 expires, you will be out of status and ineligible for OPT.  Please pass this message along to any friends who might be in this situation. 

9.  Summer Registration & Summer Employment

F1 students must register in the summer only if it is your very last semester.  Otherwise, it is not required.   

Also, you may work on campus during the summer if you are registered for Summer and/or Fall Semester.  If you have specific questions, please ask! 

10.  Please Complete the Campus Safety Survey!

Starting March 24, the University community will receive an e-mail message to complete a Web-based survey related to perceptions of campus safety.  This 10-minute survey will help the committee to better understand the nature of the risks, perceptions of safety and actual victimization of campus community members. Students will be asked about on- and off-campus crime perceptions. All survey responses will be confidential, and the more responses received would result in better data.  

After the information is gathered and analyzed, the committee will use the data, in conjunction with actual offi­cial crime reports from the University’s Police and Public Safety and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police departments, to develop recommendations aimed at increasing security and safety both on and off campus.